Sedimentation apparatus



Feb.27, 1945. I SM 2,370,120

SEDIMENTATION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1943 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .l l I I l I l ,l 46 46 i i I I /45 F l G U R E. 5

nvmvrox SAMUEL l. BOUSMAN v ATTORWE Feb. 27, 1945; BQUSMAN 2,370,120

SEDIMENTATION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGURE 2 lNV ENTOR, SAMUEL. I. B'OUSMAN A 7ra/e/vEy Feb. 27, 1945. s. l. BOUSMAN 23 SEDIMENTATiON APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGURE 3 Feb. 27, 1945. s, BOUSMAN 2,370,120

SEDIMENTATION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1943' 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. SAMU EL l. BOUSMAN 331; l ,BY 7 I FIGURE. 6

Avromvsy Patented Feb. 27,1945

UNITED STATES SEDILIENTATION APPARATUS Samuel I. Bousman, San Francisco, Calif assignor to Western Machinery Company, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Utah 7 Application January 29,1943, Serial No. 474,026

I 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sedi- 'mentation. apparatus of the type frequently rethe scraper arms will not be transmitted to the center pier, but will-be borne by a special truss arrangement extending from the pier to the outer wall of the basin.

Another object of this invention is to produce an apparatus of the class specified in which the motor for producing rotation shall be mounted in a stationary position at or near the outer wall of the basin in such a manner that its weight will not be supported by the center pier.

Another object of this invention is to produce a sedimentation apparatus in which the scraper arms are supported,by a center pier the base of which is surrounded by a discharge groove or cone and in which means is provided for agitating and scraping the material in the groove so as to prevent packing of the same.

A still further object of this invention is to produce an apparatus of the class described in which the cone scraper can be readily raised to inoperative position for the p rpose of facilitating the starting of the apparatus after it has been closed down.

Another object of the invention is to produce 3 a sedimentationapparatus in which the rake arms are provided with -a plurality of independently supported scraper blades and with means for raising and lowering the blades so as to disengage them from the sediment after the apparatus has been closed down. A still further object is to provide a sedimenported by and surrounds the center pier and 4 which, therefore. donot have to be tilted or in any other way moved relative to the cage for the purpose of releasing the scraper blades.

The above and any other objects that may become apparent as this description proceeds are 50 attained by means of a construction and an arrangement of parts that will now be described in detail, and for this purpose reference will be had to the accompanying drawings in which the inw vention has been illustrated, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top view of an apparatus embodying this invention; Figure 2 is a view showing a diametrical section through the basin and showing the walkway truss and one of the rake arms in side elevation looking in the direction of arrows 2, in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3-3, Figures 1 and 4;

Figure 4 is a top plan view looking in the direction of arrow 4- in Figure 3 with the walkway truss removed;

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 5-5, Figure l, 3; and

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6- -6, Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral l0 designates the bottom of the sedimentation basin. This bottom has the shape of a truncated cone and in the embodiment shown is circular. A circular wall ll extends around the outside of the bottom and terminates at point l2. An overflow launder l3 surrounds the wall and is formed by an outwardly extending wall portion II and a vertically extending circular wall I5. Projecting upwardly from the center of the basin is a pier ii. A groove or discharge cone I'I surrounds the base of the pier and connected with this groove are a number of pipes l8 through which the material is discharged. In the'pres- 0 cut embodiment .a walkway truss, which has been designated inits entirety by reference numeral I 9, has its inner end supported indirectly through other members by the pier and its outer end supported fromthe top of the wall I5 by some means such as a steel bracket 20, or from a pier or support separate from the wall. Referring now more particularly to Figures 3 and 6, it will be seen that a tubular cylindrical member II is supported on the top of the pier and secured thereto by some suitable means such as bolts 22. The upper end of the tubular member has a section 23 of somewhat smallerfdiameter than the lower section. and is connected therewith by an annular portion 24, whose upper 5 surface forms a support for the walkway truss, laterally from the tubular member 2|, a short distance above the pier, is a circular flange. 25 that is-surrounded by a downwardly extending flange "land-reenforced by radial webs '21. Reference may be had at this point to Figure 6 where these parts are shown to a somewhatlarger scale. A steel track 28,

extending flange 2!,

an rests-thereon having a downwardly surrounds the member 28 in the manner shown in Fig- A turntable 30 is provided at its center with an opening for the reception of the tubular member 2|. This opening is surrounded by a cylindrical section 3|. The outer edge of the turntable has a downwardly extending cylindrical section 32.

; At angularly spaced intervals'the turntable is provided with openings which have been designated by reference numeral 33 in Figure 6. In the present embodiment there are four of these openings spaced ninety degrees apart. Positioned in each opening is a roller assembly comprising a casting 34 having spaced downwardly extending sides or flanges 35. These flanges are provided with openings for the reception of a short shaft 36. A roller 31 is mounted for rotation on each shaft and between the roller and the shaft a bushing 38 is provided. The surface of the track and the outer surface of the roller are inclined in a wellknown manner so as to produce rolling contact without sliding. The casting 34 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 39, through which bolts 40 extend and by means of which it is secured to the turntable. The side flanges 39 are provided with upwardly extending lugs or ears 4| that have threaded openings for the reception of the set screws 42 by means of which the casting can be adjusted radially into its proper position with respect to the track. The turntable is provided with upwardly extending lugs 43 with which the screws engage, all in the manner indicated in Figure 6. From Figure 4 it will be seen that the turntable is broadly octagonal in shape and that alternate angles are projected outwardly so as to form right angular portions like those indicated by reference numeral 44. Angle irons 45 are secured to the flange 32 at each of the corners 44. These angle irons extend 7 downwardly in the manner shown in Figure 3 and are connected by means of transverse angle irons 48 and diagonal braces 41 so as to form a rigid rectangular cage. It will be noted that the an le irons 46 and the brace members are secured to the outer surfaces of angle irons 45 so as to leave the irmer angles unobstructed for a purpose which will presently appear. Extending outwardly from the cage that has just been described, are at least two rake arms. These rake arms will b described only in a general way because they form no particular part of this invention and have been fully described in applicants copending application, Serial No. 474,025; of even date herewith. The rake arms are each provided with two base angle irons 48 and an upper angle iron 49 that extends along and connects the upper vertices of a number of triangular trusses 50. Other brace members extend from the vertices of the triangular trusses to the bases of the outwardly adjacent trusses in the manner indicated in Figures 1 and 2. Hingedly connected with each rake arm are a plurality of scraper blades 52 that can be raised and lowered by means'of ahoist mecha-. nism and the cables 53 and 54.

Referring again to Figure that a second cage, constructedin a manner similar to the one previously described, is positioned within the first cageand consists of four vertical angle irons 55 interconnected by means of transverse angle irons 56 and diagonal brace 51 so as to form a rigid rectangular cage assembly. Since the inside angles of angle irons 45 are unobstructed, the inside cage can telescope with respect to the first case. tend downwardly and are each provided at the bottom with a scraper 58 andthese scrapers are so positioned that they engage in the groove H The angle irons 55 ex-" in the manner shown in Figure 2. In Figure 3 the" scrapers 53 are shown in operative position by full lines and in inoperative position by broken lines.

The hoist mechanism by which the scraper blades are raised and lowered relative to the rake arm will now be described.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 4, it will be seen that a shaft I3 is mounted for rotation in bearings 60 that are secured to the upper surface of the turntable and the latter is provided with three openings, ll, 82 and 83. A sprocket wheel 64 is attached to the shaft 59 and projects "through the opening ll. Two drums 65 are also secured to the shaft, one projecting in part into the opening 62 and the other into the opening 83. Shaft 53 is rotated by a gear reduction mechanism comprising a worm gear 66 that is mounted for rotation in a casing 31 secured to the turntable. The worm gear is secured to a shaft and attached to the outer end of this shaft is a sprocket wheel 88 which a chain 68 connects with the sprocket wheel 64. A worm, not shown in Figure 4, is in cooperative engagement with the lower surface of the worm gear and the shaft to which it is secured is provided atits outer end with apinion 10 which meshes with a similar pinion 1| secured to the lower end of shaft 12. The upper end of shaft I2 is preferably square so as to receive a socket wrench by means of which it can be rotated. Whenever shaft 12 is rotated, it will rotate the worm gear 66 and this, in turn, will cause the shaft 59 and drums 65 to rotate. Cables 53 are attached to the drums and extend laterally and after passing over the pulleys 13 extend downwardly along the upper cage, thence around pulleys I4 and thence outwardly in the manner shown in Figure 2. From the cables 53, branch cables 54 connect with the scraper blades.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the cone scraper cage is of a similar construction to s, it will be seen that Just described and consists of a shaft 15 that is mounted for rotation in bearing 18 secured to the under surface of the turntable. Secured to ach end of shaft 15 are drums ll to which hoisting cables 18 are-attached. A sprocket wheel 19 is attached to the shaft 15 and this is connected by means of asprocket chain with the sprocket 88 that is secured to the shaft to which theworm gear 66 is attached. The worm for rotating the worm gear 56 is secured to a shaft to the outer end of which the pinion I0 is attached.) A pinion 1| attached to the lower end of shaft 12 serves to rotate the worm and turn the shaft 15. It will be seen from the above that the worm gear reduction mechanism is of the same construction for the two hoists. The cables 13 pass around various pulleys so as to bring the vertical portion thereof outside of the track 1 3 and the lower ends of the cables are attached to the cone scraper frame at points 3| as shown in Figure 3.

From the above description it will be seen that the cone scrapers and the scraper blades on the rake arms can be independently raised and lowered.

The two telescopically connected cages and the rake arms connected therewith are rotated by a mechanism which will now be described.

A bull gear 32 is secured to the upper surface that is secured to a downwardly extending shaft 81 which carries a spur pinion 8-8. The pinion engages with the teeth on the bull gear and since the pinion is secured to the walkway truss, it is apparent that whenever it is rotated, it will cause,

the bull gear with the parts attached thereto to rotate about a vertical axis. For the purpose of rotating the worm gear 86, a motor 89 is sup ported on a suitable shelf 90 at the outer end of the basin wall IS. A shaft 9| extends from the motor to the housing 84 where it is attached to a worm that is in operative engagement with the worm gear 86., Shaft 9| is supported by suitable bearings 92 spaced along the walkway truss; The

motor is, of, course, connected with a source of electricity by means of suitable switches and speed control rheostats if desired.

It is now apparent that whenever shaft 9| rotates, it will cause the worm gear 86 to rotate and this in turn will rotate the two telescopic:

cages together with the rake arms.

The material to be treated is fed to the thickener through a launder 93, that is provided at its inner endwith a downwardly extending spout 94. A splash shield 95 is secured to the under side of the walkway truss and projects downwardly some distance terminating above the lower end of the spout 94. Another splash shield 96 is supported adjacent the inner end ofthe shaft as this .per-

mits the shaft to rotate at a higher speed and with less torque wherefore a smaller .diameter shaft can be used. If any speed reducing gears other than the worm gear shown, isneeded, it

may be positioned inthe most desirable place.-

In the embodiment illustrated and described,

. the power is transmitted from the motor to the stood, however, that the walkway truss may be from the upper cage by means of bracketsconrb-v prising radial angle braces 9-8.

When the apparatus above described is in operation the sewage, or other material to be treated, is fed to the centerof the apparatus by means of the launder and at the same time the rake arms irons 91 and angular worm reduction gearby means of shaft 9|. It

is to be understood, however, :that any other mechanically equivalent power transmission can be substituted, as for example, a rope or cable drive,

the principal objectto be attained being the positioning of the motor where itwill be readily available for servicing and inspection.

In theembodiment illustrated, the outer end I of the walkway truss has. been shown as being supported by. a bracket that rests on wall i5, which is the preferable way. 'It is to be undersupported by a separate pier positioned outside of the wall H. In case the boundary wall isv entirely eliminated, as it sometimes is in cheap installation the outer end of the walkway truss would still have to bejsupported and would then most probably rest on a special pier or support.

are slowly rotated. The scraper blades, are in,

cllned so as to move the solids that settle onto the bottom, towards the groove or cone II from which they are discharged through pipes l8. The

level of the liquid is determined by the height of the wall I 2 and this permits the clear liquid at the top to discharge at a rate proportional to the rate of feed. As long as the apparatus is operating, the scraper blades 52 and the cone scrapers 58 keep the material in motion and prevent it from hardening. Should the apparatus be closed down for any length of time, it is apparent that the solids in suspension will deposit on the upper surface of the bottom and in the groove l1 and if the close down is for any length of time, the solids become quite dense which would effectively prevent a resumption of operation due to the resistance thus offered. In order to release the rake arms after aclose down, the winches are operated so as to lift the blades 52 and the scrapers 58 above the precipitated solids. After the arms have been put in motion, the cone the rotating assembly. This power transmission mechanism is so designed that it relieves the pier of all torque strains and the pier merely serves as a support for the walkway truss and a fulcrum about which the rotary forces tend to turn it. Since the outer end of the walkway truss is'secured to th wall t5, or to some other stationary power is transmitted from the-gear motor 89 to Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a sedimentation apparatus comprising a basin provided with a central pier surrounded at its base by a circular. discharge groove, meansfor introducing a liquid mixture into the basin adjacent the pier, and a clarified liquid eflluent overflow surrounding the basin, a turntable mounted for rotation on the pier, a cage suspended from the turntable and surrounding the upper end of the pier, means for rotatingthe turntable and the cage, a cone-scraper frame surrounding the lower end of the pier, positioned on the inside of the cage and connectedtherewith for conjoint rotation and relative vertical movement,'scrapers on the lower end of the frame, positioned to .engage in the circular discharge groove, and means for raising and lowering the frame comprising, awinch'mechanism including a drum supported by the turntable, and cables operatively connecting the frame with the drum, the winch mechanism including the drum and'the cables serving to raise and tolower the frame with respect to the cage.

2. In a sedimentation apparatus, comprising a basin provided with a central pier surrounded 'atits base by a circular discharge groove, means 'said interconnections forming means for resisting forces tending to effect relative rotation between the cage and frame, cone scrapers attached to the lower end of the frame in position to engage in the discharge groove, a winch drum carried by the turntable, means comprising a for raising and lowering the frame relative to the cage and the turntable,

3. In a sedimentation. apparatus comprising a basin provided with a central pier whose base is surrounded by a circular discharge groove, forming a sediment outlet, means for introducing a fluid mixture to the basin near its center, and a clarified liquid overflow, means for moving solids towards'the discharge groove, and means for stirring the contents of the latter, comprising a cage surrounding the upper end of the pier, and rotatable thereabout, means for rotating the cage, scraper arms extending radially from the cage, scraper blades on the .arms, a frame positioned within the cage and telescopically connected therewith, means interconnecting the cage and frame for conjoint rotation, means for raising and lowering the frame relative to the cage and independently of the scraper blades, com-- prising a winch mechanism carried by the cage,

and scrapers secured to the frame extending downwardly therefrom and positioned to enter the discharge groove.

4. In a sedimentation apparatus comprising a basin provided with a central pier whose base is surrounded by a circular discharge groove, forming a sediment outlet means for introducing a fluid mixture to the basin near its center, and a clarified liquid overflow, means for moving solids towards the discharge groove, comprising a cage of polygonal cross section having vertical angle irons at, the corners, said angle irons being posi- .tioned with the angles towards the inside, a pinrality of scraper arms extending radially from the cage, means for rotating the cage and arms,

inclined scraper blades carried by the arms, and means for stirring the contents of the discharge groove comprising a frame of the same cross sectional shape as the cage, positioned within the latter and provided with vertical angle irons at the corners, positioned to slidably engage the inner surfaces of the flanges of the corresponding angle irons of the cage, the lower end of the frame having at least one scraper positioned to enter the discharge groove, and means comprising a winch mechanism carried by the cage for raising and lowering theframe relative to the cage and independently of the arms.

charge grojcnre, means 7 means for moving settled material towards the 155 5. In a sedimentation apparatus comprising a basin having a central pier surrounded by a disdischarge groove, comprising a turntable rotatably supported on the pier, means for rotating the turntable, rake arms carried thereby, a cage depending from the turntable and surrounding the upper end of the pier, a frame surrounding the pier positioned within the cage and mounted for relative vertical movement therewith, means interconnecting the cage and frame for conjoint rotation about the pier, at least one stirring element connected with the lower end of the frame, positioned to extend into the discharge groove, a winch mechanism comprising a drum, carried by the turntable, means for turning the drum, and cables connecting the frame to the drum, whereby when the latter is rotatedthe frame will be moved vertically relative to the cage and the turntable to adJust thestirring element relative to the discharge groove.

6. In a sedimentation apparatus having a basin with a pier upstanding therein and provided with means for feeding a fluid mixture thereto and with a clarified eiiluent overflow, a stationary bearing member mounted on the pier, a sediment raking structure comprising a turntable and at rotation on said pier,-a plurality of scraper blades positioned beneath said arms and carried thereby, means for rotating the raking structure the basin having a circular discharge receiving groove surrounding the base of the pier, forming a sediment outlet a cone scraper frame surrounding the pier and supported by the rotatable sedimentation rake structure, for conjoint rotation and for independent vertical movement, the lower end of said frame having at least one cone scraper positioned to project into the annular groove, and means for raising and lowering the frame independently of the rake structure to raise the scraper from the groove and to lower it there into. 40 '7. In a sedimentation apparatus having a basin with a pier upstanding therein and provided with means for introducing a fluid mixture, and with a clarified efliuent overflow, a sediment raking structure comprising at least two arms mounted 45 for rotation about said pier and supported thereby, a plurality of scraper blades, positioned beneath and attached to each arm means for rotating the raking structure, the basin having a circular sediment discharge groove surrounding the Wbase of the pier forming a sediment outlet, a cone scraper frame surrounding the pier and carried by the sedimentation raking structure for-conjoint rotation, the frame having its lower end provided with at least one scraper for entering the groove, and means comprising a hoist mechanism carried by the raking structure for raising and lowering the scraper frame independently of the sediment raking structure, whereby the cone scraper can be brought into and out of sediment w engaging position.

SAMUEL I. BOUSMAN.

.least two arms, supported by and mounted for 

